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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE 
BUREAU OF FISHERIES 

HUGH M. SMITH, CommliiJonef 



SURVEY OF THE FISHING GROUNDS ON THE 

COASTS OF WASHINGTON AND 

OREGON IN 1914 



By Waldo L ScHraTT, E. C Johnston, E« P* Rankin 
and Edward Driscoll 

U. S. Bureau of Fisheries 



APPENDIX VII TO THE REPORT OF THE U. S. COMMISSIONER 
OF FISHERIES FOR 1914 




Bureau of Fisheries Document No. 817 



WASHINGTON 

GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 

1915 



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onograp^ 



DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE 

BUREAU OF FISHERIES 

HUGH M. SMITH, Commissioner 



SURVEY OF THE FISHING GROUNDS ON THE 

COASTS OF WASHINGTON AND 

OREGON IN 1914 



By Waldo L. Schmitt, E. C Johnston, E. P. Rankin 
and Edward Driscoll 

U, S. Bureau of Fisheries 



APPENDIX VII TO THE REPORT OF THE U. S. COMMISSIONER 
OF FISHERIES FOR 1914 




Bureau of Fisheries Document No. 817 



WASHINGTON 
GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 

1915 



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SURVEY OF THE FISHING GROUNDS ON THE COASTS 
OF WASHINGTON .AND OFEGON IN 1914 



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Appendix VII to the Rfport of t 

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CONTENTS, 



Page. 

Introduction 3 

Resume of the history of the banks 4 

The Albatross investigation in 1914 6 

Results of the investigation: 

Weather conditions 11 

Character and topography of the bottom 13 

Grays Harbor section 13 

Tillamook section 14 

Newport section 14 

Heceta Bank section - 15 

Coos Bay section 15 

Discussion of the sets 16 

Yield of the banks 22 

nalibut 22 

Red rock-cod 25 

Black cod 25 

Flounders, sole, etc 25 

Dogfish 25 

Whales 25 

Scallops 26 

Summary 27 

Explanation of charts 29 

2 



SURVEY OF THE FISHING GROUNDS ON THE COASTS OF 
WASHINGTON AND* OREGON IN 1914. 



By Waldo L. Schmitt, E. G. Johnson, E. P. Rankin, and Edward Driscoll. 



INTRODUCTION. 

In the spring of 1914 the United States Bureau of Fisheries steamer 
Albatross was detailed to make an investigation of the fishing banks 
reported off the Oregon coast for the purpose of developing their 
location and extent and supplying definite information as to the 
character of the fishing grounds, especially those for halibut, the 
abundance of fish thereon, and the season at which they appear. 
That the investigation should be as conclusive as possible, it was at 
first restricted to that section of the coast lying between the Columbia 
River and Heceta Bank, but later was extended northward to a point 
off Grays Harbor and southward to include a section of the coast off 
Coos Bay. This is practically the same region covered by the 
Albatross in her survey of the offshore fishing grounds in 1888-89, 
and by various commercial fishing ventures both before and after 
that time, the results of which are narrated hereafter. 

The present investigation included a preliminary reconnoissance 
by Mr. E. C. Johnston, of the Albatross, in July, 1913; three fishing 
trips by the steamer, April 27 to May 16, May 25 to June 1, and 
August 27 to September 10, 1914, respectively; a visit to the various 
fishing ports in the latter part of June, by Mr. Edward Driscoll, 
an expert commercial fisherman, who had charge of the fishing trials 
during the survey; and a series of fishing trials conducted from a 
chartered launch out of Newport, Oreg., from July 11 to August 17, 
1914, during a period in which the Albatross was engaged in other 
duty. 

In order to form a correct estimate of the commercial value of the 
fishing banks explored, it has been considered necessary to epitomize 
what was known of them before this investigation was undertaken; 
but the essential part of the report is embraced in the section, 
"Results of the investigation." This includes various charts and 
tables, in which are embodied details of the depths and character 
of the bottom; the results of sets for fish; the results of trials for 
scallop beds; and the actual commercial yield of the fishing banks 
after their value became known as a result of this investigation. 

The charts are intended particularly to supply, at a glance, the 
information desired by fishermen, the depths, and the general char- 

3 



4 SURVEY OF FISHING GROUNDS, 1914. 

acter of the bottom. The principal banks are also indicated as 
such, the position of each set is shown by Roman numerals, and cer- 
tain fishing trials by two commercial fishing schooners prior to this 
investigation are plotted, approximately. 

Although his name does not appear as an author, no small part 
of the credit for the results of the survey is due the commanding 
officer of the Albatross, Lieut. L. B. Porterfield, United States Navy. 
The authors also express their thanks for the information so gener- 
ously and freely furnished by Capt. Quinn, of the Idaho; Capt. Johan- 
sen, of the Chicago; Capt. Johnson, of the Daisy; Capt. Edwards, of 
the Helgoland; and Capt. Churchill, of the New England Fish Co. ; 
and for the many courtesies extended by Mr. Edward Cuningham, 
of the Pacific Net & Twine Co., of Seattle. 

RESUME OF THE HISTORY OF THE BANKS. 

About the beginning of the year 1885 sea fisheries were commenced 
off the coast of Washington by the Portland Deep Sea Fish Co. of 
Portland, Oreg., with a small schooner, the Carrie B. Lake, which 
operated a 40-foot beam trawl between Cape Disappointment and 
Shoalwater Bay. The catch consisted principally of soles, flounders, 
and red rock cod, but the venture was brought to an untimely close 
when the captain, John Exon, an expert beam trawler out of Grimsby, 
the mate, and cook were lost overboard January 3, 1886. Later the 
schooner Dolphin was built and made 40 trips between April and 
October, 1887, but she proved a failure, because, it is stated, she 
could not promptly market her catch, which consisted of soles, 
flounders, hake, rock cod, and a very few cod and hahbut. The 
"cod" mentioned were probably not Gadus macrocephalus, the true 
cod, but the cultus or ling cod (Ophiodon elongatus). 

During; the fall of 1888 and in the summer and fall of 1889 the 
Albatross, as mentioned before, made quite an extensive survey of 
the region dealt with in the present report, although but few fishing 
spots and small banks were developed. 

In summation of the investigation, Mr. Rathbun, in the Report of 
the Commissioner of Fisheries for 1889-1891, page 105, says: 

Only occasional specimens of halibut were taken off Flattery Rocks and Tillamook 
Rock and on Heceta Bank. Several species of rock-cod were generally distributed 
along the coast, as well as on the banks, and flounders were found everywhere, being 
especially abundant in depths of 50 to 100 fathoms. The flat surface of the plateau 
is particularly rich in the latter group of fishes, * * * Cultus cod occur on all the 
banks and on Orford Reef, while black cod inhabit the deeper waters, half-grown 
individuals also being found in moderate depths, together with the ling or Pacific 
whiting. Large red prawns of excellent quality are likewise very abundant and 
widely distributed, having been captured frequently in considerable numbers in the 
beam trawl. 

o Summary of the fishing investigations conducted in the North Pacific Ocean, by Richard Rathbun, 
Bulletin V. S. Fish Commission, vol. vm, 1888. 



COASTS OF WASHINGTON AND OEEGON. 5 

In the latter part of 1888 the Yaquina Deep Sea Fishing Co. was 
incorporated and purchased the auxiliary steam schooner George H. 
Chance, of 71 tons net register, and in 1889 was reported to be making 
preparations to actively engage in sea fisheries off the coast, but 
inexperience led to the abandonment of the enterprise. 

With reference to a trip of this vessel to the southern part of 
Heceta Bank, it is stated that on the evening of August 7, 1889, she 
took several small halibut, and that on a trawl line set overnight the 
heads of 11 halibut were found the next morning, the bodies appar- 
ently having been destroyed by sharks and dogfish. 

For a number of years there are no other reports of fishing ven- 
tures, but the statistics of the Bureau of Fisheries record 25,000 
pounds of halibut taken with lines in Coos County, Oreg., in 1904. 

From that time until about 1911 apparently no further attempts 
to institute fisheries off the Oregon coast were made, but about this 
year, in September, Capt. A. Edwards, with the steamer Wieding 
Bros, (later known as the Wieding), prospected as far south as Heceta 
Bank. He found practically no good bottom until he made a set on 
the western edge of the bank and secured 25,000 pounds of fish, but 
rough weather and the lack of a good near-by harbor caused the 
abandonment of the trip. 

In the 1912 file of the Pacific Fisherman various sporadic and 
desultory attempts to prosecute halibut fisheries in the region under 
discussion are mentioned, but none met with success. 

On August 31, 1912, the Ollie S., Capt. Carner, a local gasoline 
passenger boat about 68 feet long, under the guidance of R. E. Voeth, 
caught several hundred pounds of halibut 12 to 14 miles southwest of 
the whistling buoy off the Yaquina Bar. This catch and the con- 
tinued interest of Capt. Voeth, who had prospected for halibut at 
various times, called attention to the possibility of developing a 
fishery and finally resulted in the present investigation. 

The season's catch from August 31 until about the middle of 
September, was reported as 20,000 pounds for the Ollie 8., and 
24,000 pounds for another vessel operating out of the same port. 

In May, 1913, the Idaho, Capt. Quinn, a 7-dory boat out of Seattle, 
undertook a prospecting trip beginning under Cape Lookout and 
ending on Heceta Bank. In all, seven sets were made, the total 
yield of fish being less than 6,000 pounds. A great many dogfish 
were taken at every set, and a few black cod in the sets on the shoulder 
of Heceta Bank. The locations of the sets are plotted on the accom- 
panying charts as rectangles from data furnished by Capt. Quinn. 

Returning in March, 1914, from a northern trip, the steamer 
Chicago, Capt. Johansen, 12 dories, of Seattle, also made a short 
prospecting trip on the reported Oregon fishing banks, hoping to 
make a quick trip to supply the Good Friday market. About eight 



6 SURVEY OF FISHING GROUNDS, 1914. 

trials were made, beginning in deep water off the mouth of the 
Columbia, running down over the continental shelf, and ending in 
deep water off Newport, Oreg. The total return from these eight 
sets, four days' fishing, was about 5,000 pounds, and to make the 
trip the vessel resorted to the well-known Flattery Banks, where 
68,000 pounds of fish were picked up. The approximate location of 
the sets have been indicated by circles on the accompanying chart. 

The reports of the masters of these two vessels on the prospect of 
developing a lucrative halibut fishery in this region were very unfa- 
vorable, and they were confirmed by the results of the operations of 
the schooner Decorah, which in May, 1914, caught but 6,000 pounds 
of small halibut in 10 clays of fishing. 

Partly corroborative evidence was furnished also by Capt. E. 
Clyde Chase, formerly of Marshfield, Oreg., who stated: 

While I was engaged in the salmon fisheries at Marshfield I did considerable experi- 
menting on the halibut grounds off Coos Bay. During the close season in the summer 
and winter I filled in the time with halibut fishing, and can say that we made some good 
catches during the months of August and September. The fish did not seem to run in 
schools. They were mostly caught in scattered spots, and we hardly ever would 
fish the same ground the second day in succession and achieve good results. We did 
most of our fishing on a fine gray sand bottom, and we found no ground I would con- 
sider good halibut banks. 

What halibut we caught were small, not averaging over 15 pounds. I fished most 
of the ground from the Heceta Banks to Cape Blanco. We found the ground 
practically the same. During our summer fishing we would catch a few hali- 
but almost anywhere along these sets, but during the months of December and 
January there seemed to be no halibut at all on the same ground we fished in the 
summer, but we got dogfish and skates on nearly every hook we set. I believe the 
halibut come inshore during the summer onto these grounds and can be caught more 
or less on any of the grounds during that time. But during the winter they go off 
again and you are unable to find them. I don't consider any ground that I found 
good halibut banks that would hold the fish. 

THE "ALBATROSS" INVESTIGATION IN 1914. 

Preliminary to the investigation proper as conducted by the 
Albatross, the fishery expert of the vessel was detailed to make a 
reconnoissance covering the Oregon coast towns, from which reports 
of catches of halibut had come, namely, Newport and Bay City. 
His trip was made for the purpose of obtaining first-hand information 
regarding the fishing season, weather conditions, and harbor facilities, 
upon which definite instructions regarding the survey could be based. 

At Newport, Oreg., it was ascertained that halibut fishing had been 
engaged in by the owners and masters of various small freight and 
pleasure craft belonging to Newport and Yaquina, practically all of 
it by means of hand lines. During the inquiry in Newport, the Sea 
Dog, a 20-foot boat using three hand lines, caught about 500 pounds 
of halibut in a 10-hour day; and the Wanderer, a 60-footer, reported 
making a catch of about 1,000 pounds with the same number of hand 



COASTS OF WASHINGTON AND OREGON. 7 

lines from the afternoon of July 16 to the afternoon of the day fol- 
lowing. The best catch of the season was said to have been 1,800 
pounds taken by Capt. R. E. Voeth, of the Wanderer, with two regu- 
lation halibut trawls. 

The fishing season out of Newport was found to be usually from 
April to early September, being limited by the rough weather pre- 
vailing during the late fall and winter. The local fishermen alleged 
that halibut can be taken the year round; as they are able to make 
but very few trips from September to March they were not sure as 
to the abundance of the fish in winter. 

It was learned that there was practically no halibut fishing at Bay 
City. Only once in a while, in smooth weather, a boat goes out for 
halibut as a pleasure trip. There were rumors of several notable 
halibut catches, but little of which could be traced to an authentic 
source. 

The primary interest in both places seems to be to ascertain if 
there be a sufficient supply of fish to warrent the building of cold- 
storage plants with which to make a bid for the Portland and other 
markets. 

In the main, the inquiry developed that, at least off Newport, a 
scattered run of fish during the summer months could be obtained; 
that the weather conditions, other than from April to September, 
were too uncertain and severe to warrant an investigation during 
any other time; and that harbor facilities for a vessel the size of the 
Albatross were not available. As a consequence, the survey was 
deferred until the following spring. 

On April 12, the Albatross left Sausalito, Cal., for Seattle, Wash. 
At Seattle, Mr. Edward Driscoll, expert fisherman, and four other 
practical fishermen were engaged, and after taking aboard the neces- 
sary gear and equipment the ship left Seattle April 24 on her first 
trip over the ground. 

On April 29 actual operations were begun on Heceta Bank, selected 
at the time as the southern limit of the field of investigation, and 
continued northward, with several interruptions due to stormy 
weather, until May 8, when a return was made to replenish the coal 
bunkers. 

Most of the soundings and trials were confined to the deeper water, 
90 to 100 fathoms, as during the spring halibut are more likely to 
bo found on the offshore edges of the banks. On the completion of 
this line it was found that the plan of operations would permit work- 
ing over a portion of the inshore ground, and a series of trials of the 
bottom was made along the 50-fathom curve, beginning off Yaquina 
Head to a point off Tillamook and thence in a northwesterly direc- 
tion to deep water off the Columbia. Three sets of the trawls were 
made on this line of soundings. 
91192°— 15 2 



8 SURVEY OP FISHING GROUNDS, 1914. 

This trip failed to demonstrate the occurrence of good bottom, 
bottom that would hold fish, and also an apparent absence of fish 
in paying quantities in the spring of the year. Three possible spots 
were located, sets I, u, and iv (chart I, table i), of which only the 
first seemed to be at all favorable with respect to the bottom. 
Unfortunately, because of the rough weather prevailing at the time, 
a more thorough trial could not be given. 

The results led to the expectation that halibut, if they were to be 
found off the Oregon coast, would occur only in the nature of a sea- 
sonal (summer) run when the fish come inshore in search of food, 
irrespective of the character of the bottom. Such appearances of 
fish on poor and unfavorable bottom are usually incidental and do 
not continue throughout the year. 

One indication of the occurrence of scallops, also reported from 
these banks, was brought up at set vi in the shape of several dead 
valves to which sea anemones were attached. 

On leaving Seattle May 25, on the second trip, it was the intention 
to give the spots developed on the previous trip more conclusive 
tests and to pay particular attention to the section just off Newport, 
from which most of the reported fish were said to have been taken. 
Through an accident this trip was brought to an abrupt end on 
May 29, after but two days' fishing, necessitating an immediate 
return to Seattle for repairs. 

From June 12 to August 27 the Albatross was engaged in Alaska, 
but the halibut investigation was continued by other means. From 
June 15 to 29 Mr. Driscoll made a tour of the Washington and Oregon 
fishing ports in the region under investigation for the purpose of 
obtaining information regarding catches which might otherwise not 
be reported and which might be indicative of a summer run of fish. 
He visited Newport, Portland, Tillamook, and Astoria, Oreg.; and 
Aberdeen, Wash. 

At Newport Capt. Reeder, of the Oral) ell, on June 17, caught 25 hali- 
but, averaging about 20 pounds, although some weighed but 6 pounds, 
"a very uneven run, which looks as though there were not many 
where these were caught." On June 10 the same craft took 4 halibut, 
averaging about 15 pounds, 2 redfish, and 2 ling cod, about 7 miles 
off the bar, and the Pilgrim, Capt. Chambers, brought in 1 halibut, 
2 red cod, and 2 ling cod from about 8 miles offshore. Capt. Chambers 
stated that "the fish are not plentiful now, but later on they bunch 
up, and many can be caught when they strike in in August. There 
are no large banks such as have been reported, but there is one fish- 
ing spot 1 5 miles southwest by west from Newport bar and another 
16 miles west." 

In Portland it was learned that the Decorah had brought in 2,200 
pounds of good fish, averaging about 15 pounds, from Heceta Bank. 



COASTS OF WASHINGTON AND OEEGON. 9 

At Tillamook no fish were being caught. No information regarding 
halibut was to be obtained in Astoria, the fishermen there being 
engaged wholly in salmon fishing, and at Aberdeen a schooner, the 
Zilla May, was being fitted with an otter trawl, her owner having 
a market for miscellaneous fish such as are caught with that imple- 
ment. 

From the information secured by Mr. Driscoll, in addition to that 
already at hand, it was concluded that a paying run of fish had not 
yet occurred, and that if it were to be found fishing trials should be 
continued without interruption. A part of the Albatross staff and 
Mr. Driscoll, with the practical fishermen previously mentioned, 
were therefore transferred to Newport, where fishing trials were 
carried on from July 13 to August 17, 1914, from a gasoline launch 
chartered for the purpose. 

Contrary to all earlier indications, a nice run of halibut was found 
within an area of about 250 square miles — between about 8 miles 
northwest by north (magnetic) of Yaquina Head Light and approxi- 
mately 15 miles southwest (magnetic) from the whistling buoy on 
the Newport bar. Within this area 14 sets were made, varying from 
one to three hours in duration and using from one to three skates of 
gear, with salt herring, surf perch, frozen herring, and fresh salmon 
bait. From 200 to 500 pounds of halibut, dressed weight, were 
taken to the skate, and from this it was estimated that a dory run- 
ning a line of six to eight skates and using fresh salmon bait could 
take 1,500 to 2,000 pounds of fish with a five to six hour soak any- 
where within the area indicated, an estimate verified by the results 
of commercial fishery operations, as shown in table iv of this report. 

Several trials for scallops made in connection with some of the sets 
have been dealt with in detail under the heading " Scallops." 

During this period of the investigation the schooner Daisy (three 
dories), induced by the representations of the owners of the local 
cold-storage plant, made several successful trips, and the schooner 
Decorah also operated off Newport, but with indifferent success. 

As yet the Seattle fleet had not been made acquainted with the 
results of the investigation; but one of the fishermen in the Bureau's 
service resigned to take command of the Decorah, and with his return 
to Seattle, to secure a competent and experienced crew, full informa- 
tion as to the various prospects was given to the public. Thereupon 
several schooners made trips netting returns as good as those made on 
the various well-known Alaska banks during the same period, and a 
small but profitable fishery was definitely established on Newport 
Bank. 

The Newport cold-storage plant on two occasions took over a por- 
tion of the Daisy's catch, 19,000 pounds on July 11 and 17,000 
pounds on July 30; but owing to the limited size of the sharp freezer 



10 SURVEY OF FISHING GROUNDS, 1914. 

it could handle only the fresh, iced fish for immediate shipment to 
near-by towns. Neither the plant nor the market seemed able to 
take care of even such limited quantities of fish except occasionally, 
and so far as known no landings other than by small local craft were 
subsequently made at Newport. 

A few halibut, in no case exceeding 29, were caught by local fish- 
ermen in July, but in August, after the productiveness of Newport 
Bank had been partially demonstrated, three fares of 1,400, 1,500, 
and 1,900 pounds, respectively, were taken. 

During the time spent by the party at Newport it was noted that 
the local fishermen did not avail themselves of all opportunities pre- 
sented, nor was any great energy displayed in prosecuting the little 
fishing that was carried on. This was in part due to the lack of a 
sufficient local demand; to high express rates to outside points, i. e., 
Portland; and undoubtedly to uncertain and unfavorable bar, 
weather, and fog conditions which necessarily would result in a very 
irregular and fluctuating supply. 

There is also lack of an adequate supply of bait. The surf perch 
which were used on several occasions proved to be good, but, though 
apparently occurring in great abundance, they doubtless would be- 
come depleted in a short time if extensively used, even if seining for 
them could be carried on without detriment to the local crab fishery. 
Spring and fall runs of herring take place in Yaquina Bay, and though 
no definite data were procurable concerning their abundance, the local 
fishermen, who salt them for their own use, hardly had enough to 
last through the fishing season. There is a limited run of salmon of 
such late occurrence that it could not be utilized as a source of bait 
and the quantity is very questionable as most of the fish displayed 
for sale in the local markets had been shipped from Alsea Bay. 

The Albatross made its final run over the ground, leaving Seattle 
August 27, returning September 8. On this occasion fishing trials 
were begun as far south as Coos Bay to ascertain if a run of fish 
such as was developed off Newport might occur in that vicinity. 
One set as successful as many off Newport, was made on a likely piece 
of bottom upon which further prospecting should show good fishing. 
More intensive investigations were carried on during this trip than 
was possible on the previous ones. Former sets were checked up 
and gaps in the various lines of soundings filled in wherever possible; 
and results of a more positive nature were obtainable regarding the 
abundance of fish, inasmuch as the best of bait, fresh salmon, was 
employed, and as a long soak was given. 

Trials were also made for scallops both off Yaquina, where launch 
work had been attempted during the summer, and off Cascade Head, 
where evidences of the presence of scallops had been found on the 
occasion of the first Albatross trip. Here a bed of scallops possibly 



COASTS OP WASHINGTON AND OEEGON. 11 

in sufficient abundance to warrant private investigation was touched 
upon, while off Newport, though no scallops were secured, a great 
abundance of the smaller flatfishes was demonstrated. 

The northern limit of the field of investigation was also extended 
so as to take in a section of the coastal banks off Grays Harbor, 
where one set and a number of soundings were made. After touching 
at Seattle and coaling at Union Bay, British Columbia, the Albatross 
proceeded to Sausalito, Cal., where she arrived September 15, 1914. 

RESULTS OF THE INVESTIGATION. 
WEATHER CONDITIONS. 

While en route to the field of investigation the Albatross was com- 
pelled to heave to for 17 hours, and several times during the survey 
boisterous seas necessitated the cessation of fishing operations. 

That fishing trials were made at Newport on so few days was not 
due solely to the state of the weather, but also to the condition on the 
bar off the mouth of Yaquina Bay. Sets were made on but 14 of 36 
possible days of the time spent there. On 16 of the remaining 22 
days the fog was very thick or threatening, and on the other 6 days 
either tidal conditions or, more frequently, breakers rendered the bar 
impassable. During practically one-third of the time spent at New- 
port the state of the bar, aside from other conditions, prevented 
fishing. 

The United States Coast Pilot, Pacific Coast (second edition, 1909) 
says: 

The channel over the bar (at Newport, Oreg.) has a depth of 11 to 14 feet, but is 
narrow and winding and should not be attempted by strangers without a pilot. A 
reef extends for nearly 1J miles northward of the entrance about \ mile offshore; and 
southward of the entrance at a distance of about 1 mile, is a patch of sunken rocks, 
usually showing a breaker. In the approach to the entrance, which is between these 
rocks and the reef, the bottom is irregular, with several depths of 4 fathoms and less. 
Inside the entrance the channel is subject to frequent change. * * * The entrance 
in winter is exceptionally bad on account of the heavy swell and the place is not 
recommended. 

The channel over Newport bar, as far as our experience with it 
indicated, has a depth of about 9 feet at low water, but it is claimed 
locally that a channel carrying 14 feet can be followed. There is a 
gap in the reef through which small craft can approach the bar chan- 
nel from the west, avoiding taking the seas broadside on in north- 
westerly weather. This gap usually can be readily picked up by 
one familiar with its position, provided the breakers are not so high 
as to completely obscure it. 

There are two partially completed breakwaters off the harbor en- 
trance, but they are almost worse than useless, ending well within 
the most dangerous ground. Until they are extended into suffi- 



12 SURVEY OF FISHING GROUNDS, 1914. 

ciently deep water, possibly across the reef, Yaquina Bay will be 
handicapped as a fishing port. 

Somewhat similar conditions obtain off Tillamook, concerning 
which the Coast Pilot says: 

Sixteen feet have been carried over the bar at high tide with a smooth sea. * * * 
The position of the channel can not be depended upon and is Liable to change in heavy 
weather. * * * North of San Francisco, Humbolt and Coos Bays, Columbia River, 
Willapa Bay, and Grays Harbor afford good shelter, but must be made before the sea 
rises, as afterwards the bars are impassable. 

The Albatross did not begin work until well into spring, owing to 
the severe weather conditions prevailing during the winter. Through- 
out the spring and early summer fresh, brisk gales were of frequent 
occurrence, usually lasting for several days at a time, and, if from 
the southeast, accompanied by fog. During the late summer and 
early fall much less rough weather was experienced, but the fogs, on 
the other hand, were denser and more troublesome, and with the end 
of September winter conditions were ushered in. 

On the whole, both small boat and vessel fishing, irrespective of 
the run of fish, is restricted by weather conditions to the five months, 
late April to early September, and even then a great many days dur- 
ing the summer are much too rough or foggy to permit the smaller 
craft to operate with any degree of safety. 

For the convenience of those using this report, the following very 
excellent recapitulation of weather, wind, and fog conditions is 
quoted from the United States Coast Pilot, Pacific Coast (second 
edition, 1909, pp. 10-11): 

Weather.- — There are two seasons — the summer or dry season, which begins about 
May and continues until October, and the winter or rainy season, covering the remain- 
der of the year. These seasons vary in length in different parts of the coast as well as 
in different years. 

Northward of San Francisco the rainy season increases in length and amount of 
rainfall, and as Juan de Fuca Strait is approached showers of short duration and gen- 
erally local may be looked for at any time. Snow falls at rare occasions in San 
Francisco and vicinity, but is frequent and at times heavy in the vicinity of Juan de 
Fuca Strait. From San Francisco northward the winter gales increase in severity, 
frequency and duration, while in summer the northerly and northwesterly winds at 
times reach almost hurricane strength. 

Winds. — The prevailing winds in summer are from northwest and west, on the 
northern part of the coast. * * * The northwest winds in summer frequently 
reach a velocity of 70 miles an hour and extend as far south as Point Conception. 
* * * As a rule, the northwest wind begins about sunrise and reaches its maximum 
velocity about 3 or 4 p. m., moderating toward sunset and dropping to light airs or 
calms by daylight. The severe northwesterly gales generally last two or three days 
and continue throughout the night with little or no diminution. 

In winter the heaviest weather is from the southeast and southwest, with an occa- 
sional northerly gale of short duration. These gales, with the heavy southwest swell 
prevailing dining the winter months, cause a confused, irregular sea that taxes the 
weatherly qualities of a vessel to the utmost. They spring up gradually from south- 
ward and increase in strength, with a rapidly falling barometer. When the barometer 



COASTS OF WASHINGTON AND OEEGON. 13 

becomes stationary the wind shifts to southwest and blows heavily, with clearing 
weather and frequent rain squalls. The barometer rises when the wind hauls to 
southwest, from which point it generally blows from 12 to 20 hours. 

When the southwest gale of winter is not preceded by southerly weather the barom- 
eter seldom falls, but either remains stationary, when the gale may be expected to 
continue longer, or rises slowly, when it will gradually subside and fine weather follow. 

Fog. — On the outside coast fogs are liable to occur at any time, but are more frequent 
in July, August, and September. * * * In the northern parts of the coast they 
are more frequent and at times very dense, and have been known to extend several 
hundred miles seaward. They are generally brought in toward sundown, from sea- 
ward, by light westerly winds, and ordinarily continue until noon of the following 
day and sometimes later. 

CHARACTER AND TOPOGRAPHY OF THE BOTTOM. 

On the accompanying two charts the character and topography 
of the bottom have been graphically represented by means of contour 
lines and colors, the significance of the latter being explained in the 
legend on the chart. The contour lines are based almost wholly on 
the Coast and Geodetic Survey charts Nos. 5900, 6000, and 6100, which 
in turn have been compiled largely from the Albatross data secured 
in 1888-89. The curves are spaced at 10-fathom intervals, begin- 
ning at 30 and ending with 100 fathoms, omitting the 90-fathom 
contour, which nearly approximates the 100-fathom line. The fish- 
ing sets and scallop trials made during the survey are indicated by 
means of Roman numerals, the exact location being the center of 
the space covered by the letters. The location of sets of the Idaho 
are shown approximately by a series of dotted rectangles numbered 
in order, and those of the Chicago, by numbered dotted circles. 

For convenience of treatment the bottoms surveyed are discussed 
under the following heads: (1) Grays Harbor section, (2) Tillamook 
section, (3) Newport section, (4) Heceta Bank section, (5) Coos Bay 
section. The intervening stretches are considered with the sections 
with which they can be most readily treated. 

Grays Harbor section. — Off Grays Harbor the continental shelf, 
which here attains a width of about 25 to 30 miles, is covered from 
shore outward to between the 40 and 50 fathom curves with fine gray 
sand, and beyond that line out into deep water is composed almost 
uniformly of green mud. An outcrop of shale was found on one 
sounding about 25 miles west of Point Chehalis. In the vicinity of 
Chehalis Bank, reported by Capt. Tanner, the soundings increased 
regularly in depth offshore, and showed nothing but green mud from 
the 46-fathom mark to a depth of 64 fathoms and doubtless beyond 
that. 

To the northward of this reported bank, and between 10 and 15 
miles offshore, a patch of gravel bottom was found in 38 to 40 fathoms. 
It is apparently of considerable extent, and though no halibut were 



14 SURVEY OF FISHING GROUNDS, 1914. 

taken on it (set xxxvm), it is rich in bottom life and may be found 
to be productive at times. 

The Tillamook section. — On this silt area off the Columbia River 
but little sounding was done for obvious reasons. The mud begin- 
ning at the mouth of the river runs out to and apparently follows the 
50 or 60 fathom curves throughout the greater part of this section. 
South of the river and inshore of the mud the bottom was found to 
be fine gray sand, except at one sounding. 

In the mud area there are two outcrops of shale. One is a small 
ridge about 25 miles off Tillamook Rock, where the least depth was 
78 fathoms. One-half mile beyond this sounding green mud was 
found in 94 fathoms, and 3 miles inshore the same material in 83 
fathoms was recorded. The second sounding showing the occurrence 
of shale was in 98 fathoms, about 18 miles off the entrance of Tilla- 
mook Bay. It is believed that a great many of these outcrops are 
to be found, as the Miocene shales seem to be the principal forma- 
tion of the continental shelf off the Oregon coast. 

On the fine gray sand within the 60-fathom curve, about 9 miles 
south of Tillamook Rock, a small patch of shale resembling hard mud 
was discovered, but an attempt to relocate it later proved unsuccess- 
ful. Between Cape Falcon and Tillamook Bay coarse gray sand was 
found on a single sounding, in 32 fathoms. From all indications it 
is doubtful if halibut will be found here in paying quantities, although 
it is the most promising bottom found off Tillamook. 

Conditions apparently similar to those off Tillamook seem to obtain 
in the stretch between Cape Lookout and Cape Foulweather. Under 
Cape Lookout, on an area not tried out by the Albatross, both the 
Daisy and the Idalio report very good appearing gravel bottom, 
although none but small fish have been taken there. Below Cape 
Lookout the continental shelf has a width of but 10 miles, and in this 
vicinity, just off Cascade Head, there is a patch of fine gravel adjoin- 
ing one of coarse gray sand in 42 and 30 fathoms, respectively. 
Though two unproductive sets of the trawl lines (vi and xxxv) 
were made just offshore from these patches, it was in the vicinity of 
set vi, off the gravel patch, that the best scallop catch was made. 

The bottom throughout the Tillamook section seems to be generally 
unfavorable for halibut, though it supports a great many of the 
smaller flatfishes and other, at present, less marketable species. 

Newport section. — South of Cape Foulweather, off Yaquina Head, 
the regular progression of increasingly deeper soundings from the 
shore outward is no longer found and green mud or fine gray sand 
bottoms lose their prcdominence. In this region the mud line is gen- 
erally found at 90 fathoms or beyond. 

Between Yaquina and Alsea Bays and about 12 miles off shore, a 
ridge was discovered on which 30 fathoms was the minimum sounding 



COASTS OF WASHINGTON AND OEEGON. 15 

made by the Albatross, although Capt. Carrol, until recently of the 
DecoraJt, reports that he made one sounding of 20 fathoms in this 
vicinity. This ridge is the outer wall of a submarine valley having, 
so far as sounded, an extreme depth of 47 fathoms, shoaling at its 
mouth to 42 fathoms and merging with the flat of the continental 
shelf at the 50-fathom curve. On both sides of the ridge, and princi- 
pally at the upper end of the submarine valley formed by it, the late 
summer run of halibut, developed by this survey, was found. The 
bottom across the head of and through the greater extent of the floor 
of the valley is of coarse gray sand, carrying a very rich growth of 
such organisms (sea anemones and pennatulids) as are typically 
found on good halibut bottom. 

Over the ridge and principally on its northwestern and southern 
slopes is found what has been designated as broken bottom — com- 
posed of materials of a mixed character, shale, gravel, sand, and 
mud — in patches varying in size and composition, but all very rich 
in bottom-living organisms. On the western slope is a patch of 
coarse gray sand and another of gravel, apparently of considerable 
extent, though no great number of soundings were made there. On 
this patch a good lot of fish were taken (set xxxiv). 

Heceta BariTc section. — Similar to the ridge off Newport, but larger 
and in somewhat deeper water, there is a large, roughly triangular 
plateau called Heceta Bank, between 25 and 30 miles offshore to the 
southwestward of Heceta Head. It is composed largely of shale too 
hard for good halibut bottom, while the submarine valley formed by 
it is too soft, having a bottom of soft green mud. Several patches 
each of broken bottom and black sand occur both on the flat of the 
bank and on the offshore slopes. The most Demising broken bot- 
tom is in the vicinity of set xi, where a lot of fish were taken in the 
spring of the year (set i). Black sand is considered good black cod 
bottom and on one patch of it (set x) a fair catch was made. 

Between Heceta Bank, Alsea Bay, and Heceta Head is a large area 
of fine gray sand which below Heceta Head is encroached upon by 
the green mud of the submarine valley formed by Heceta Bank. Off 
the mouth of the Siuslaw River is a small isolated patch of gravel 
surrounded by fine gray sand. The mud line trends in from the 
70-fathom line toward the Umpqua River, where it reaches the 
30-fathom curve less than 2| miles offshore. Another gravel patch 
about 7 miles below the Umpqua lies within this mud area but 6 
miles from shore, and south of this the mud recedes until it lies 
beyond the 70-80-fathom line 10 miles off Coos Bay. 

Coos Bay section. — In a fine between the Umpqua River and Coos 
Bay, three sets (xxvir, xxrx, and xxx) were made on fine gray sand, 
which occurs everywhere in this region inshore of the mud. As de- 
veloped by the above sets, this sand bottom seems to carry a thin 



IQ SURVEY OF FISHING GROUNDS, 1914. 

surface film of mud or else the line of demarcation between the two 
extends much nearer shore than has been shown either by the chart 
or the soundings. 

Southward of Coos Bay, extending well toward the Coquille River, 
is a comparatively extensive outcrop of shale, rich in bottom organ- 
isms, in which the soundings developed two areas of good halibut 
bottom, fine gravel. The soundings, together with the yield of set 
xxviu, seem to indicate that more detailed examination might locate 
areas of so-called broken bottom, which is more productive of fish 
than shale alone. 

DISCUSSION OF THE SETS. 

In table i will be found all pertinent information regarding the 
various fishing trials made during the survey, with the exception of 
those made exclusively for scallops, which are shown in table 11. 

In some cases, instead of making a double-banked set, the dories 
were spaced about a half mile apart and acted independently, although 
for all practical purposes they were making but a single set. Double- 
banked sets primarily were made in rough and threatening weather 
and later for the purpose of saving time and making several sets a 
day in addition to the routine of sounding. These are indicated in 
the column "Addenda," table i. 

The skate used was the regular 8-line trawl as rigged and used by 
commercial fishermen, carrying about 250 hooks spaced 9 feet apart. 
At Newport, July to August, in addition to the regular gear, a single 
line rigged with small hooks and light gangings was set for soles, 
flounders, and other small-mouthed bottom fish. This gear was not 
very effective and such fish as were taken with it have been included 
in the regular columns of the table. 

The bait throughout the first two trips and in part during the New- 
port trials was salt herring purchased in Seattle, not in preference 
to fresh or frozen fish, but because of the lack of facilities on the 
Albatross to care for a sufficient quantity of cold-storage bait. At 
Newport, clams, surf perch, and salmon were obtained from the local 
fishermen, but were not always to be had in sufficient quantity, 
and salt herring were used to make up the deficiency. A small 
stock of frozen herring was obtained from a supply left by the 
schooner Daisy. On the last trip of the Albatross, through the 
special efforts of the commanding officer, several boxes of iced salmon 
were carried in the ship's very limited cold-storage space. 

The weights of the halibut taken are given under different classifi- 
cations in table i. To give an idea of the proportion of first-class 
fish, weighing from 11 to 80 pounds, inclusive, the number of these 
has been given in one column and their average weight in another. 

Set 7 —April 29, on Heceta Bank, in 88 to 92 fathoms, broken 
bottom. The offshore dory, which fished in the deeper water, on 



COASTS OF WASHINGTON AND OREGON. 17 

gravel bottom, took one 72-pound halibut; the inshore dory took 
the remainder of the total catch of 296 pounds of fish, which averaged 
about 31 pounds. Of these, 8 were first-class fish, weighing between 
11 and 80 pounds, averaging about 37 pounds each. All were nice 
looking, blue-meated halibut. Though salt herring bait was used 
and a one-hour set made, the result would seem to indicate that in 
this vicinity a good catch of fish might be expected hi the spring. 
The result of the Idaho's sets Nos. 5 and 6, in the spring of 1913, do 
not bear out this assumption, but at times a distance of a half mile 
will put a schooner off a very good spot. This set was near the prob- 
able location of Capt. Edwards's very successful trial in 1911 or 1912. 
The dogfish were quite troublesome, 21 being taken, together with 
34 red rock and 1 ling cod. Rock cod usually frequent a bottom 
somewhat more rocky than that preferred by halibut. 

Set II. — May 2, off Newport, well on the edge of the bank in 96 
fathoms; bottom green mud with an admixture of black sand, under- 
laid by siliceous shale. The mud adhered in stringy masses to the 
trawl lines, an evidence of soft, unfavorable bottom. One 20-pound 
halibut, 1 dogfish, 4 skates, 8 red rock, and 3 ling cod were taken. 

Set III. — May 5, on Heceta Bank, about 15 miles north of set I, in 
61 fathoms; on broken bottom composed of granular shale and fine 
gravel. One small fragment of rock caught on the trawl. Two 
skates were set from each dory. Of the 4 halibut taken, 3 were first- 
class fish, averaging 26 pounds, and the other 10 pounds. The spring 
run of dogfish was again encountered, 80 being taken. 

Set IV. — May 6, about 13 miles off Newport, in 54 to 57 fathoms; 
fairly good bottom, composed fine black sand, broken shells, and 
coarse gray sand. A basket star, indicative of "five" bottom, was 
brought up at this station-. Of the 8 halibut caught, 7, averaging 21 
pounds, were first-class fish. Thirty-six dogfish and 9 red fish were 
taken. 

Set V. — May 6, off Newport in 62 fathoms, on granular shale and 
some fine gravel, rather too hard bottom for halibut. Twenty-one 
rock cod and 4 small halibut of an average weight of 14 pounds were 
caught. 

Set VI. — May 7, off Cascade Head, in 48 fathoms; the sounding 
indicated fine gray sand, and 4 large sea anemones attached to scallop 
shells were brought up on the trawl fine. No halibut were taken, 1 
flounder, 1 ling cod, 2 red rock-cod, and 6 skates constituting the 
total catch. It was hardly expected that halibut would be found on 
the fine gray sand indicated by the sounding lead, and the set was 
made merely to determine what might be expected on bottom of 
that character. A later set (xxxv) in the same general locality was 
hardly more productive. Farther inshore the bottom gets better, 
being composed of fine gravel, but the Chicago made a set (5) there 
on April 2, in 12 fathoms, with but poor success. 



18 SURVEY OF FISHING GROUNDS, 1914. 

To the northward, under and near Cape Lookout, the Idaho made 
two sets (i and vn), both on sand bottom, on May 11 and 14; although 
Capt. Quinn said that the last set was on the best bottom he had seen 
on his entire trip, he caught only 500 or 600 pounds of fish, practically 
all small. The Daisy, on gravel bottom under Cape Lookout, about 
July 30, caught 4,000 pounds of halibut, all too small to market. 

Set VII. — May 8, off the Columbia River; picked up granular 
shale, obviously a very small patch, as in the immediate vicinity of 
the dories the Albatross bottom sampler brought up a core of soft 
green mud 2 J feet long. The total catch yielded but one 32-pound 
halibut, 15 dogfish, 1 skate, 1 sole, and 1 octopus. 

Of the above seven sets, i and hi offer possibilities of good fishing 
spots. The bottom is very much alive, as found by the Albatross on 
this and her 1888-89 trips, carrying a great variety of bottom organ- 
isms . Set iv also has good bottom, of a coarse gray sand, tending toward 
that later found just off Newport and carrying a good run of fish 
during the months of July, August, and September. It is very 
probable, in view of later developments, that had fresh herring or 
salmon been employed instead of the salt bait used and a longer 
soak given, a materially larger catch might have been returned in each 
case. The other sets, with the possible exception of set v, on 
granular shale and fine gravel, were made on unfavorable bottom. 

Dogfish were taken in nearly every set and, as can be seen, are a 
great pest in the spring. The great number of " dogs" at this season 
was the one great difficulty encountered by the Idaho in her attempt 
to make successful fishing trials. 

Set VIII. — May 27, off Newport, in 31 to 34 fathoms; bottom, fine 
gray sand. As but 3 halibut, averaging 23 pounds each, were taken, 
this was considered poor bottom, but after completing the chart of 
the fishing grounds it was seen that this set was on the edge of the 
fishing ground proper, and the 6 sea pens, or pennatulids, taken on 
the trawl line show the presence of bottom life of a character to war- 
rant the inclusion of this area in the bank. 

Set IX. — May 28, on Heceta Bank, in 66 to 68 fathoms; bottom, 
granular shale, part of a large siliceous shale area, which is to be 
generally considered as poor bottom. Five halibut, including 4 first- 
class fish, averaging about 25 pounds each, were taken. 

Set X. — May 28, on Heceta Bank, in 109 fathoms; bottom, fine 
black sand and some fine gravel, apparently good haiibut ground, 
but tending in character and depth to be more favorable for black 
cod, as indicated by the results of the set. Twenty-six black cod 
weighing 276 pounds, the fish ranging from 7 to 18 pounds and aver- 
aging 10.6 pounds each, were caught. Only 1 halibut, weighing 16 
pounds, was taken. 



COASTS OF WASHINGTON AND OKEGON. 19 

Set XL — May 29, on Heceta Bank, in 100 fathoms, bottom, fine 
black sand. No halibut were taken and but 5 black cod, ranging 
from 5 to 16 pounds and averaging 12 pounds each. 

Sets Xll-XXVI. — Were made out of Newport during July and 
August, gear being set and hauled from a launch chartered for the 
purpose. 

Sets Xll-XVIU and XX-XXI1L— July 13 to August 14, off 
Newport, in 25 to 47 fathoms, on coarse gray sand. This was 
rich bottom, numerous pennatulids, sea anemones, and sun stars 
being brought up on the trawl lines. The bait used consisted of 
surf perch, fresh salmon, frozen and salt herring. All of these sets 
were on good fishing ground, from 5 to 45 halibut, weighing from 
132 to 1,867 pounds, total weight, being taken on from 1 to 3 skates 
of gear in from 1 to 3 hours. The fish averaged 20 to 48 pounds 
each. There are some living scallops scattered over this bottom, but 
so far as could be ascertained, in about a dozen trials with an o jester 
dredge, they were widely scattered. 

Sets XIX, XXIV, and XX VI.— July 27, August 15, and August 
17, respectively, off Newport, in 35 to 40 fathoms, on broken bottom 
consisting of rocky shale, coarse gray sand, fine gravel, and forami- 
nifera, in patches of various degrees of admixture, and resembling 
the bottom found on Heceta Bank in sets i and in. One to two 
skates of gear were used in sets of two hours' duration, with octopus, 
salt herring, and salmon as bait. The yields were from 559 to 935 
pounds of halibut, consisting of 27 to 36 fish, averaging 20 to 32 
pounds. First-class fish averaging as high as 40 pounds each for 22 
out of a total of 29 were taken. All sets were on good fishing ground. 
Set xix is the only one in July where more than 8 dogfish were 
taken. A total of 13 were taken here. 

Set XXV. — August 16, off Newport, in 37 fathoms, on fine gray 
sand, with 1 skate of gear, fresh salmon bait, set two hours; resulted 
in a catch of 355 pounds of fish — 9 halibut, all first-class and averaging 
about 39 pounds each. Ordinarily this kind of bottom does not carry 
fish; but on the fishing ground off Newport the patch of fine sand 
which extends along the submarine valley floor between the inshore 
coarse gray sand and the offshore broken bottom apparently is an 
exception. Twenty-eight dogfish were caught, the only case in 
August in which the catch exceeded 4. 

The following sets, made on the last trip of the Albatross, were of 
two hours duration, double-banked, one skate to each of the two 
dories, using fresh salmon as bait, excepting set xxxviii, in which 
each dory used two skates of gear and operated independently one- 
half mile apart, bait and duration of set otherwise being the same. 

Set XXVII. — August 29, off Coos Bay, in 36 fathoms; bottom, 
fine gray sand, covered with a layer of slimy mud, which came up in 



20 SURVEY OF FISHING GROUNDS, 1914. 

stringy masses on the ground line. This set was evidently very near 
the mud, and the same kind of bottom was also found on sets xxix, 
xxx, and xxxi. Two halibut weighing 12 and 20 pounds, re- 
spectively, were taken in addition to 3 skates, 3 soles, and 1 ratfish. 

Set XXVIII. — August 30, off Coos Bay, in 65 fathoms; bottom, 
granular shale. The bottom here differs from the others found at the 
sets made between Coos Bay and Heceta Head, which were of the 
character described under set xxvii. In the catch this set is com- 
parable to those on the broken bottom on Heceta Bank and off 
Newport, 13 halibut, totaling 375 pounds, being taken. Twelve of 
these were first-class fish and averaged 24 pounds each; the other 
weighed 85 pounds. This set was just north of a promising patch 
of gravel bottom, which will doubtless carry many more fish than 
were taken here. The whole area comprising the shale and gravel 
bottom in this vicinity should be considered a possible fishing ground, 
and more extensive soundings might develop even more favorable 
bottom. 

Sets XXIX-XXXI. — Sets xxix and xxx were made off Coos 
Bay, August 30 and 31, in 30 and 37 fathoms, respectively; set xxxi 
was off Heceta Head, August 31, in 42 fathoms. All have the same 
character of bottom as set xxvii and were as barren of fish. At set 
xxix only were any halibut taken, and here but three, weighing 9, 
10, and 90 pounds, respectively. Otherwise a few skates and soles 
constituted practically the entire catches. 

Set XXXII. — September 1, on Heceta Bank, in 82 fathoms; on 
granular shale and fine black sand approaching broken bottom in 
appearance. This set was in the vicinity of sets i and ix, on the 
point of Heceta Bank. Seven halibut, totaling 259 pounds, were taken 
in a two-hour double-banked set of two skates, using fresh salmon 
bait. Six of these were first-class fish, averaging about 41 pounds. 
As previously noted, on April 29 (set i) we took 296 pounds of fish 
on one skate, one-hour set, salt herring bait, 9 fish all told, 8 first-class, 
averaging 37 pounds each. Though not very plentiful when this trial 
was made, it is safe to predict that fish in paying quantities will be 
found on or near this spot during some time of the year, but the area 
is very small and must be picked up largely on soundings. Twelve 
dogfish were taken in addition to 30 blue sharks, 18 skates, 1 ratfish, 
2 black cod, 3 ling cod, 3 soles, and about 150 red rock-cod. The 
quantity of red fish was most remarkable. When they were cast 
overboard from the dories they attracted numerous dogfish and blue 
sharks. 

Set XXXIII. — September 1, on Heceta Bank, in 87 fathoms, off 
shore from set in; on broken bottom composed of shale of varying 
degrees of hardness, with patches of fine black sand. The bottom 
here is apparently rich, as a 16-inch-high basket sponge was brought 



COASTS OF WASHINGTON AND OREGON. 21 

up on the trawl. Three halibut averaging 55 pounds were taken, and 
5 black cod averaging 16 pounds each; the rest of the catch com- 
prised 2 blue sharks, 6 skates, 2 rock-salmon, and only 31 red rock- 
fish; only 7 dogfish were brought up. 

Set XXXIV. — September 2, off Newport, more on the flat of the 
bank than the preceding sets and in the general direction of the New- 
port fishing ground, at a spot where coarse gray sand, fine gravel, 
and broken shells were found in 63 fathoms. Nine halibut, averaging 
slightly over 32 pounds each, were taken, the total weight being about 
290 pounds. With a catch such as this, of good fish, the Newport 
fishing ground prospected over in sets xii to xxvi can with good 
reason be extended so as to include this spot. 

Set XXXV. — September 3, off Cascade Head, in 45 fathoms, on 
fine gray sand. The bottoms at this and the two succeeding stations 
were given trials to fill in what otherwise would be a questionable 
gap, but no halibut fishing of consequence is to be expected on con- 
tinuous fine gray sand bottom. One 57-pound halibut was taken, 
together with 10 dogfish, 4 skates, 3 ling cod, and 2 soles. 

Set XXX VI. — September 4, off Tillamook, in 43 fathoms, on fine 
gray sand. Two halibut weighing, respectively, 9 and 16 pounds were 
taken, hi addition to 6 dogfish, 2 blue sharks, 3 skates, 4 young black 
cod, 1 sole, and 1 arrow-toothed halibut. The latter was the only one 
of the species taken on the entire cruise, in marked contrast to 
Tanner's previous trip over the ground, when he thought that this 
would be the species of halibut most likely to be found in fishing off 
this coast. 

Set XXXVII. — September 4, off Tillamook, in 56 fathoms, on fine 
gray sand, apparently barren bottom; yielded 2 dogfish, 4 blue sharks, 
1 small black cod, and 1 sole. 

Had the bottom of the Tillamook section been more varied or more 
favorable other sets would have been attempted. The results of the 
early Albatross trials, given in the introduction, are in very close 
agreement with those obtained in sets xxxvi and xxxvii. 

Set XXX VIII.— September 5, off Grays Harbor north of Chehalis 
Bank, reported by Tanner in 1888, in 38 fathoms, on a rich bottom 
of fine and coarse gravel. Several sea anemones were brought up on 
the trawl, a favorable indication. No halibut were taken, the total 
catch being 1 dogfish, 1 skate, 1 blue shark, and 1 red rock-cod. Even 
with this poor showing, fish are to be expected on bottom of this 
character at some time during the year, and it might repay schooners 
on the way to and from the Newport ground to make several prospect 
sets in this vicinity hi passing. 

Though in 1888 and 1889, and again during the present survey, no 
hahbut were taken hi this vicinity by the Albatross, Capt. J. W. 
Collins, in his "Fisheries of the Pacific Coast," states that "Capt. John 



22 SURVEY OF FISHING GROUNDS, 1914. 

Reed reported that often when waiting outside the harbor to tow 
vessels in, on or near the fishing bank, he has caught a fine lot of fish. 
Frequently halibut are taken, and on one occasion 22 were caught 
in a few hours fishing with hand lines over the rail; the largest 
weighed 87 pounds." Regarding the banks, Capt. Collins says they 
"are located outside the harbor heads, about 10 miles offshore in a 
northwesterly direction from the whistling buoy off the entrance. 
There is a depth of 30 fathoms * * * with a gravelly and rocky 
bottom." The other fishes listed by Capt. Collins were taken by the 
Albatross in 1888-89 and in 1914. 

YIELD OF THE BANKS. 

Halibut. — So far as possible, a detailed record was kept of all 
commercial fishing trips made off the Oregon coast during approxi- 
mately the period covered by the present investigation. The data 
obtainable (tables in and iv) are for the period beginning May 10, 
1914, the date of the first trip of the year, and ending about September 
15 with the last, so far as could be ascertained. 

An inspection of table in shows that a total of 853,300 pounds of 
halibut were caught in 1 steamer and 20 schooner trips. Of this total, 
235,000 pounds were thrown out as mushy, leaving a total of 618,300 
pounds of sound, marketable fish, for which a value of $23,646.25 was 
received. To these returns there might be added, in computing the 
year's yield of the bank, over 10,000 pounds taken by the Albatross 
during the survey and about 6,000 caught, it is estimated, by local 
Newport craft during the fishing season. There were also several 
trips made to the banks concerning which no definite information 
could be had, but which, if known, might have materially increased 
the total given above. Among these were two made in August, one 
by the steamer Starr (12 dories) and the other by the schooner La 
Paloma (4 dories), both of Seattle. 

In table iv separate columns have been devoted to totals and 
averages inclusive of mushy fish. Statistics published in Seattle 
apparently give the total fare, inclusive of mushy fish, for which there 
was no sale, thus crediting the vessels with a fare greater than that 
for which actual value was received. For purposes of comparison 
these data are also included in tables in and iv. For the months 
of May, June, and July no averages were drawn, as practically no 
figures were obtainable with respect to mushy fish. In the August 
returns the lack of one or two complete reports has resulted in giving 
a figure which errs on the side of being too low, but the average for 
the month has not been omitted, as it doubtless very nearly approxi- 
mates the truth. The September returns are complete so far as they 

a The halil rat yield herein discussed deals with that from the Newport Bank only, as this was the only 
place where they were caught by commercial fishermen. 



COASTS OF WASHINGTON" AND OREOON. 23 

could be secured, but toward the -end of the season the fishermen 
became uncommunicative as to the locality of their operations. 

To give an idea of the relative abundance of halibut on the New- 
port Bank and on the Alaska banks, the yield of the former is com- 
pared with the total landings in Seattle during the two months for 
which the most complete statistics were obtainable, namely, August 
and September. The Seattle statistics for 1914 include not only the 
Alaska catch but also the Oregon trips landed at that port, and as the 
comparison is not quite accurate, the returns for 1913, when no 
Oregon halibut were landed there, have also been cited. On the 
other hand, the quantity of halibut from Newport Bank taken to 
Seattle in 1914 was so small compared with the total receipts, that 
the average catches based on these data are sufficiently accurate for 
the purposes of this report. 

In August, 1914, the average schooner trip (inclusive of mushy 
fish) from Oregon was 42,800 pounds, 3,000 pounds less than the 
average schooner fare landed at Seattle during the same month. 
Compared with the average trip for the same month of the previous 
year, the Oregon catch was about 100 pounds greater 

In September the average trip from Newport Bank exceeded by 
over 15,000 pounds the average of all schooner trips landed in Seattle 
in September in either year. The average catch of sound fish alone 
from off Newport during this month compares favorably with the 
average Seattle fare including mushy fish, being 34,667 as against 
38,343 pounds at Seattle in 1914 and 38,657 pounds in 1913. The 
Seattle averages are based on 38 trips in 1913 and 70 in 1914; whereas 
the Newport data include but 6 trips. 

To all appearances, within the fishing area off Newport, halibut 
are as plentiful, at least in August and especially in September, as 
on the various northern banks fished by the Seattle schooners. It 
may be said that with the great number of northward trips there is 
greater possibility for making poor ones; but a few of these would 
not materially reduce the Seattle average, based on so many trips, 
whereas a few from Newport would have reduced that average to an 
insignificant quantity. 

Relative to the time taken in making trips off Newport, in August 
the Decorah (4 dories) caught fish at the rate of 10,000 to 11,000 
pounds a day; during the early part of the same month the Daisy 
(3 dories) secured a trip of about 40,000 pounds in a little over three 
days; later the America (4 dories) arrived off Newport August 14 
and returned to Seattle August 21 with 57,000 pounds, taking 13,000 
pounds on her best day; and the Alaska (8 dories), beginning to fish 

a The Alaska landings are practically all from the various well-known Alaskan fishing banks, though a 
number of the smaller fares are still obtained off Cape Flattery. 



24 SURVEY OF FISHING GROUNDS, 1914. 

off Newport on August 17, took a fare of slightly over 80,000 pounds 
into Seattle on August 24. 

Though doubtless the entire Seattle fleet could clean out the New- 
port grounds in one or two trips, there is every indication that it will 
easily yield twice to three times the number of trips made thereon 
during July, August, and September, and possibly as early as May and 
June there may be a good run on certain spots indicated on the edge 
of Heceta Bank. 

Regarding the percentage of mushy fish taken off Newport as com- 
pared with catches made in Alaskan waters, there are very few figures 
available. Of the four Newport trips made in August for which we 
have complete data, from 23 to 31 per cent, and in one fare of 57,000 
pounds 43 per cent, were mushy. In September, taking all of the 
returns into consideration, about 37 per cent of the fish were mushy. 
Of Alaskan trips, but two of which can be cited here, both from the 
Portlock Bank, one in September of 50,000 pounds, and the other 
in October of 240,000 pounds, of which 40 and 29 per cent, respect- 
ively, were mushy. 

These fish, called at times milk halibut, have been variously de- 
scribed. The fishermen say that when cut the flesh is so soft that it 
can be shaken away from the skin and bones, a condition that does 
not make itself apparent until after the fish has been packed in ice 
for several days or more. Mr. A. B. Alexander, of the Bureau of 
Fisheries, says that when mushy fish are cut they exhibit sac-like 
bodies in the muscular tissue varying in size from that of a marble 
to a walnut, of the consistency of hard fat, and which, when rup- 
tured, exuded a whitish fluid of the consistency of condensed milk. 
Fish so affected are mushy to the touch, the flesh does not return to the 
original shape after being subjected to pressure, as from a finger end. 

Several theories as to the causes of this condition have been ad- 
vanced. One is that related to spawning, but the facts do not 
appear to support this idea. The suggestion that it is due to disease, 
or rather parasitism, seems more probable. Dr. Johan Hjort gives 
the results of a study of the life history of a crustacean parasitic in 
the flesh of Molva abyssorum, commonly known as the ling in Europe, 
and of very common occurrence on halibut banks. About 3 per 
cent of the ling taken are infected with the parasite, which has a 
whitish or yellowish egg-shaped body about the size of a walnut (If 
by I inches) filled with a blackish fluid (digestion products) which, 
when the animal is cut, contaminates the flesh of the fish, rendering 
it unfit for sale. It is possible that the mushy halibut may have a 
similar causation, as Mr. Alexander speaks of the occurrence of hard, 
fatty lumps in their flesh. 

This matter might well be made a subject for research, as unfor- 
tunately no way of detecting the affected fish at the time of taking 



COASTS OF WASHINGTON AND OEEGON. 25 

has been discovered. Only after the fish have been in ice for several 
days, or upon cutting them, is the mushiness apparent, and for fish 
so cut there is at present no sale. 

Red rock-cod. — This fish, more properly called red rockfish, which 
is especially abundant on Heceta Bank, is common throughout the 
region surveyed and was taken practically at every set of the fishery 
gear. It is not marketed by the halibut vessels, but is taken by the 
local fishermen, it is found in the markets of Seattle and especially 
San Francisco, and from the latter place it is shipped to more or less 
distant interior points. It is excellent both as a pan fish and for 
chowder, and the demand for it should increase. 

Black cod. — As far as indications go, black cod can profitably be 
fished in the deep water just off the southern and western slopes of 
Heceta Bank. 

Flounders, sole, etc. — Of the smaller flatfishes, there seems to be 
an untold wealth throughout the greater part of the region surveyed. 
One needs but to refer to the records of the earlier Albatross investi- 
gation and to the returns of several of the fishing ventures, listed in 
the "Resume of the history of the banks, "and the tabulation of 
the scallop trials in the present report to become convinced of their 
abundance. 

Dogfish. — Though not properly considered a commercial fish at the 
present time, the question of the utilization of dogfish for fertilizer 
and other purposes renders notes regarding their occurrence and 
abundance of more than passing interest. 

From the results of the Albatross trials and the reports of the fisher- 
men, there seems to be a more or less defined spring and summer run. 
In the course of the various sets, dogfish were taken rather more fre- 
quently in April, May, and September than during the intervening 
months of July and August, although on one occasion in the latter 
month 28 were taken, the greatest number to one skate of gear. 

At practically all times the dogfish proved a great nuisance. The 
Idaho spoke of taking great numbers of them at every prospect in the 
spring of 1913. Capt. Tanner was also impressed by their abundance 
in 1888. 

Whales. — At Grays Harbor the American Pacific Whaling Co. 
operates the only shore whaling station located on the coast, con- 
ducting operations between Cape Lookout and Cape Flattery. In 
1912, 261 whales were taken and in 1913, 211, of which 6 were sperm 
whales. During the last Albatross trip, August 27 to September 10, 
one or more whales were sighted each day, and on August 29, a school 
of about 10 humpbacks was seen, the largest of which had a spread 
of about 30 feet between the tips of the flukes. Another small 
school was noted on September 5. 



26 SURVEY OF FISHING GROUNDS, 1914. 

Scallops. — From time to time the taking of scallops off Newport 
has been reported, and in connection with the present investigation 
trials were made for them as opportunity presented. The first evi- 
dence of their occurrence obtained by the Albatross was at set vi, 
May 7, when several sea anemones attached to large scallop shells 
were brought up on the trawl line. As the weather was too foggy 
and threatening to warrant the towing of apparatus over the bottom 
in such close proximity to shore, the dredge was not used at the time, 
and it was not until July 20 that a scallop trial was made. At first 
an improvised dredge with a galvanized iron (chicken) wire bag, and 
later a light oyster dredge with a similar bag, was employed, the 
opening in each having an effective width of 3 feet. 

During three days in the latter part of July, while working out of 
Newport, eight tows of varying duration were made with the oyster 
dredge, yielding but three living scallops, 3, 6, and 7 inches, respect- 
ively, in diameter. During one of the hauls a living scallop 6 inches 
in diameter was picked up on a hand line which was dragging over 
the bottom. The evidence of the occurrence of scallops thus ob- 
tained was, though positive, very scanty, and five hauls made in 
this vicinity by the Albatross with the oyster dredge and a 9-foot 
Agassiz beam trawl were wholly unproductive. Though failures so 
far as scallops were concerned, these hauls demonstrated a great 
abundance of flounders and soles. In four of them, of between 15 
and 20 minutes duration each, over 300 small flatfish were taken all 
told, of which 187 were sand dabs (Citharichtliys sordidus). These 
hauls confirm the results of the early fishing ventures off the Oregon 
coast and are indicative of an abundance of the species listed in the 
summary of the scallop trials, table u. 

As mentioned above at set vi, May 7, off Cascade Head, several 
dead scallop shells were brought up on the halibut trawl. Four tows 
were made in this vicinity on September 3. In the first (vi) 50 
living scallops were caught, 30 ranging from 4^ to 6 inches, the 
remainder from 2 J to 4 inches. The second haul (xli), 2 miles 
farther inshore, yielded 3 small living scallops. At the third (xlii), 
about a mile to the southeast of the first, no scallops were caught, and 
at the fourth (xliii), about a mile north of the first, 15 living 
scallops, 2 large and 13 small, were taken. 

The results point to the existence of a scallop bed extending over 
at least 2 square miles. When considered with the few scattered 
individuals picked up off Newport and several specimens in the 
National Museum labeled as having come from the Siuslaw River, 
Oreg., they indicate that a more detailed search than it was possible 
to make in connection with this halibut investigation will reveal one 
if not several scallop beds of sufficient extent to warrant establishing 
along the Oregon coast a fishery similar to that for the giant scallop 



COASTS OF WASHINGTON AND OREGON. 27 

off the coast of Maine. The depth of water, 50 to 60 fathoms, is 

greater than on the Maine beds; but the use of small gasoline winches 

make the depth of less moment than when the dredges were wound 

in by hand. Scallops to a certain extent are migratory, which must 

be taken into consideration by anyone contemplating undertaking 

a market fishery. A possible lack of a wide demand on the west 

coast is also a factor requiring careful investigation, notwithstanding 

that scallops are quoted in Seattle markets at a price at times as high 

as $3 a gallon. 

The living adult scallops taken during the investigation averaged 

four to the pound, shell included. The eyes or muscles, which are 

the edible portion, were from 1 to 1J inches in diameter and about 

\ inch thick, and weighed, fresh, approximately 16 to the pound. All 

told, 17 hauls were made for scallops, the data for which are set forth 

in table n.° 

SUMMARY. 

The investigation developed the existence of a nice run of halibut 
during a period of at least two months, on a bank having an area of 
approximately 250 square miles, off Newport, Oreg. The run 
attained its maximum in August and September, but fish were 
present in June and July. A profitable fishery probably could be 
conducted at that time, and at certain places might possibly be 
engaged in as early as the latter part of April. Irrespective of the 
abundance of fish, however, the weather conditions and lack of shelter 
will restrict fishing to the period from April to September. In 1914 
this run yielded commercial catches totaling over 850,000 pounds of 
halibut in 21 trips, for which $23,646.25 was received by the fisher- 
men. Average trips of 40,000 pounds were caught in four days or 
less, the fish averaging 27 pounds in weight. 

Mushy fish occur to the extent of 30 to 40 per cent of the total 
catch, but in view of certain returns from Alaska during the same 
year (1914), this proportion does not seem greater than on other 
Pacific coast grounds. 

Halibut may be expected in limited quantities off Coos Bay, on a 
considerably smaller and less developed patch of bottom, and possibly 
off Grays Harbor at some season of the year, as a good piece of bottom 
was located in that vicinity, although not a halibut was caught 
thereon. With respect to halibut and halibut bottom, the section 
of the coast lying off Tillamook seems to be the least favorable. 

o For a detailed account of scallops and scallop fisheries see: 

Smith, Hugh M.: The giant scallop fishery of Maine. Bulletin U. S. Fish Commission, vol. ix, 1889, 
p. 313-335. 

Belding, David L. : A report upon the scallop fishery of Massachusetts. Published as a special report by 
the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, 1910, 150 pages. 

Both papers are well illustrated, a chart accompanying the former. 



28 SURVEY OF FISHING GROUNDS, 1914. 

On the other hand, throughout practically the entire reach of the 
Oregon coast, there seems to be an abundance of the smaller flatfishes, 
some of which are food fishes of great excellence. The red rock-cod 
and doubtless black cod occur in great abundance. Dogfishes are so 
numerous at times as to be a nuisance. 

Scallops apparently are to be found over a wide range of territory 
and in some places probably form beds thickly enough populated to 
warrant fishing, though the depth in which they lie may militate 
against taking them commercially. 

In conclusion, the harbor and market facilities, bait supplies, 
transportation, and cold storage are perhaps too limited and uncertain 
to enable any of the Oregon coast ports to become fishing centers of 
any great consequence under present conditions. The limitation of 
the fishing season by weather conditions is possibly the greatest 
handicap in competition with Seattle and its proximity to the vast, 
year-round Alaska fishery resources. No doubt the Newport Bank 
will provide a valuable addition to the available supply of halibut, 
and the greater part of the Oregon coastal region will furnish a future 
source of supply of flounders, sole, black cod, and red rockfish, which 
at present find but a limited market, if any. 




, . I, 

Table M Loci I: uw of Trials fob, Scallops 



bd, li a I. \(. nod; rl.y. rocky; B, nil & Alsu 1 lin-, . : I ■ . 1 1 n . i , ■ r- lv ir. 

Coast of Washington and Ohrgon by the Stbamer "Alqatross," 1914. 





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COASTS OF WASHINGTON AND OREGON. 



29 



Table III. — Quantity and Value of Halibut Caught by Commercial Fishermen 
off the Coast of Oregon, May 10 to September 15, 1914. 



Date. 



May 10 
28 

June 10 

July 6 
11 
16 
22 
30 

Aug. 10 
12 
21 
22 
24 
25 

Sept. 1 
5 

8 
11 

15 



Vessel. 



Decorah . . 
....do.... 
....do.... 
....do.... 

Daisv 

do.... 

Decorah.. 
Daisy. . . . 
Decorah . . 
Daisy. . . . 
America. . 
Decorah . . 
Alaska. . . 

Daisy 

San Juan. 
Athena... 
Senator. . 
Magnolia. 
Panama.. 
Omaney. . 
Daisv 



Landed at- 



Portland 

....do 

do 

do 

Newport 

Seattle 

Portland 

Newport 

Portland 

Seattle 

do 

do 

do 

do 

do 

do 

do 

do 

do 

do 

San Francisco. 



Total (21 trips) . 



Sound 
fish. 



Pounds. 
4,500 
13,700 
22,800 
32,500 
19,000 
30,000 
21,000 
17,000 
14,000 
27,800 
32, 000 
30,000 
56,000 
27,000 
60,000 
54,000 
28,000 
30,000 
46,000 
40,000 
13,000 



61S,300 



Price 
per 

poimd. 



Cents. 
3 
4 
3 
3i 
3i 
5J 
4 

5§ 
31 
4J 
3't 
3 

31 
4 

3 J 
3f 
3\ 
3i 
3 

10 



Value 
received. 



$135. 00 

548. 00 

684.00 

1,056.25 

617.50 

1,650.00 

840. 00 

935. 00 

455. 00 

1,320.50 

1,040.00 

900. 00 

2, 130. 00 

1.0S0.00 

2,100.00 

1,890.00 

910.00 

975. 00 

1,380.00 

1,700.00 

1,300.00 



23,646.25 



Mushy 
fish. 



Pounds. 

Unknown. 

Unknown. 

Unknown. 

Unknown. 

Unknown. 
5,000 

Unknown. 

Unknown. 

Unknown. 
12,000 
25,000 

Unknown. 
25, 000 
8,000 
50, 000 
27,000 
15,000 
10, 000 
22, 000 
10,000 
26,000 



235,000 



Total 
catch. 



Pounds. 
4,500 
13, 700 
22, 800 
32,500 
19,000 
35,000 
21,000 
17,000 
14,000 
39,800 
57,000 
30,000 
SI, 000 
35,000 
110,000 
81,000 
43,000 
10,000 
68, 000 
50,000 
39,000 



853,300 



Table IV. — Quantity of Halibut Caught (Schooners only) on the Newport 
Bank, May to September, 1914, and the Average Catch per Trip Com- 
pared with the Average Catch per Trip Landed at Seattle from All 
Banks in 1913 and 1914. 



Month. 



May 

June 

July 

August 

September 



Newport, 1914. 



Number 
of trips. 



Sound 
fish. 



Pounds. 

18,200 

22,800 

119,500 

186,800 

208,000 



Average 

trip based 

on soimd 

fish. 



Pounds. 
9,100 
22,S00 
.23,900 
31,133 
34,667 



Total 

fish, 

sound 

and 

mushy. 



Pounds, 
(a) 

(a) 

(a) 

a256,800 

321,000 



Averts 

trip based 

on total 

fish. 



Pounds. 

(a) 

(a) 

(a) 

42,800 

53,500 



Seattle. 



Average trip based 

on total fish, 

soimd and 

mushy.6 



Pounds. 



42, 729 
38,657 



1914 



Pounds. 



45,701 
3S,343 



a Returns of mushy fish are incomplete in a number of instances, hence figure given is not sufficiently 
high. Averages and totals, owing to number of such omissions, have not been included in returns by months 
for May, June, and July. 

b Taken from the Pacific Fisherman. 

EXPLANATION OF CHARTS. 



The character of the bottom is indicated by stippling in three 
colors, the significance of which is explained on the charts, but the 
following further explanation of the terms appears advisable. Shale 
is a siliceous (sandy) or calcareous (limey) hard pan, which occurs 
as honey-combed bowlders or easily crumbled rocks (designated in 



30 SURVEY OF FISHING GROUNDS, 1914. 

this report as rocky) as a species of gravel (described as granular 
shale) and as a hard mud. Broken bottom consists of mixed 
materials, shale, gravel, sand, and mud, in patches of varying sizes 
and composition, but always rich in bottom-living organisms. 

The depths are indicated by curves drawn at 10-fathom intervals, 
but the soundings which have been made off this coast are not 
sufficiently numerous to permit more than approximate location of 
the lines in many cases. 

The locations of the sets made during the survey are shown by 
Roman numerals (i to xliii), the center of the space covered by the 
numeral being the position of the set. Fislung trials made by the Idaho 
and the Chicago prior to the investigation are shown by numbered 
rectangles and circles, respectively. 

o 



U. S B. F.— Doc. 817. 



Plate I. 




t§54 






PENNATULIDS iPENNATULA SP. 





ft 




2. SEA ANEMONES (CRIBRINA SP.) (METRIDIUM SP.j. 



FISHING GROUNDS 
CASCADE HEAD, OREGON, TO COQUILLE RIVER, OREGON 



UMTED 



SURVEV BY 



STATES BUREAU OF FISHERIES -f 
STEAMER ALBATROSS. 1914 




..• ; - ; 









ubrar 



YOF CONGR E , 



ss 



002 



870 



3 ?3 90 



